Dylan Frittelli beat Arjun Atwal at the first play-off hole to capture the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
The 27-year-old South African, who was named European Tour Graduate of the Year at the start of the week after finishing 19th on the 2017 Race to Dubai, birdied the first extra hole after both players had finished on 16-under-par. While Frittelli was a worthy winner of his second European Tour title in tough conditions at Heritage Golf Club after producing a closing 67, the result was harsh on Atwal.
The 44-year-old from India, who will captain his continent in next month’s EurAsia Cup, began the week with a sparkling 62 and almost snatched victory when his eagle putt on the last lipped out before settling for birdie and a closing 68. Frittelli was quick to pay tribute to his closest challenger.
“Arjun Atwal – great player, tremendous player,” he said. “I played with him yesterday and it was one of the most fun rounds I’ve had in recent times.
“He’s a player who’s played all over the world, won in America, won all over the world and I’m glad I could steal one from him here.
“It’s been a pretty good year for me. I’ve set some pretty lofty goals and achieved most of them so I can’t wait for 2018 – set more goals and go and chase them again.”
(Read more in the January issue of Golf Digest India. Download here.)